Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has conveyed to the Speaker of Parliament his willingness to step down if all party leaders make a unanimous call for his resignation, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said. Premadasa told parliament on Wednesday (20) that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena had made this pronouncement at a party leaders’ meeting earlier that …

Continue reading ‘Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena Has Said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has conveyed his willingness to step down if all party leaders make a unanimous call for his resignation States Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa’ »

By CHANKA JAYASINGHE Justifying brutal way of controlling a protest, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security Prasanna Ranatunga said on Wednesday (20) the police shooting and killing of a protester in the island nation’s central town of Rambukkana saved over 300 lives. A protester was shot dead in a clash when a protest turned into …

Continue reading ‘Justifying brutal way of controlling a protest Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security Prasanna Ranatunga tells Paliament the police shooting and killing of a protester in Rambukkana saved 300 to 400 lives.’ »

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says the right to peacefully protest will not be ‘hindered’ following an outcry over the first shooting to death of a protestor by police. “Sri Lankan citizens’ right to peacefully protest won’t be hindered,” he said in a twitter.com message. ” I urge all citizens to refrain from violence as …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says “Sri Lankan citizens’ right to peacefully protest won’t be hindered,” and urges “all citizens to refrain from violence as they protest.” while Promising “impartial and transparent inquiry”in the Aftermath of the Rambukana Police Shooting Incident’ »

Sri lanka has suffered multiple crises and nearly three decades of civil war since it won independence from Britain in 1948. But it had never failed to pay back its debts. That changed on April 12th, when the South Asian island nation’s finance ministry said in a statement that it would suspend payments on all …

Continue reading ‘A bail-out from the IMF will also require unpleasant economic reforms. The IMF’s stipulations designed to return the country to a sustainable fiscal state in the long term would probably make life even more painful for ordinary Sri Lankans in the short term.’ »

The Sri Lankan authorities should promptly and impartially investigate the apparent use of excessive force by police, who fired on protesters demonstrating against rising fuel prices in Rambukkana, a town near Kandy in central Sri Lanka on April 19, 2022. One person was killed and at least 14 wounded. Those responsible for abuses should be …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan authorities should promptly and impartially investigate the apparent use of excessive force by police who fired on protesters demonstrating against rising fuel prices in Rambukkana says Human Rights Watch’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa and Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena engaged in a heated argument yesterday (20) in Parliament, with Premadasa claiming that Abeywardena had stated that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was willing to resign if all party leaders in Parliament make a unanimous request, and Abeywardena …

Continue reading ‘Speaker and Leader of the Opposition Call Each Other “LIAR”” in Parliament: Sajith claims Speaker said President ready to quit but Speaker Denies it and says says Prez ready to handover Govt to party with majority’ »

UNP Leader MP Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday tabled in Parliament a draft proposal to revive the economy and strengthen the role of Parliament in the exercise of its powers over public finance. These include directing the Committee on Public Finance to inquire and report on the state of public finance including amending the Appropriation Act 2022 …

Continue reading ‘United National Party Leader Ranl Wickremesighe tables proposal in House to strengthen Parliament ment oversight over public finance’ »

By a Special Correspondent Both a political activist and a corporate and media personality, Krishantha Prasad Cooray is not known to mince words and is quite forthright. He was former Chairman of Hotel Developers (Lanka) Plc, which owns Hilton Colombo, Lake House and Independent Non-Executive Director at DFCC Bank as well as a Working Committee …

Continue reading ‘“On their own, with no political leadership, our people are showing the world that they were not beholden to the government or the opposition, and that they are way ahead of them. When it is over, the world will look to Sri Lanka as a textbook example of the power of civic activism.”- Krishantha Prasad Cooray’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera One person was killed and more than 20 others injured when the Police opened fire on protesters engaged in a protest in the Rambukkana area yesterday (19) evening, with Police curfew declared within the Rambukkana Police area and STF personnel deployed, as public anger grew over the shooting. The protestors were engaged …

Continue reading ‘Police Open Fire on Protesters Blocking Railtrack in Rambukkana; One Killed,Over 20 Injured ,12 Hospitalised; Cops fired because Protesters Attacked with Stones says Police Spokesman. Police Curfew Declared. STF Deployed.’ »

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (19) claimed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is now forced to “live in a bunker” due to the people’s dissatisfaction with his rule, and urged the President to therefore resign immediately. “Gotabaya Rajapaksa, you cannot live with the public today. You have …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is Forced to Live in a Bunker now Cant Rule the Country from a Bunker states Anura Dissanayake; Ex- Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is Staying at Shangri-La Hotel is Ready to Leave Sri Lanka says JVP-NPP Leader’ »

Following the death of an anti-Government protestor after Police opened fire on the protestors in Rambukkana, the envoys of the United Nations (UN), the US, and Canada have voiced their concern about the incident, while the Government and relevant authorities have come under criticism from both the political Opposition and the Bar Association of Sri …

Continue reading ‘Outcry Over Rambukkana Shooting; Envoys of UN, US and Canada Chung, Singer -Handy and McKinnon Voice Concern; Bar Association Calls for Independent Probe;SL Human Rights Commission Launches Investigation;TNA MP Shanakkiyan Rasamanickam Calls for Resignation of new Public Security Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Citizens islandwide took to the streets in protest, obstructing roads and railway tracks in several areas yesterday (19), over the recent increase in fuel prices by the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), with the protests turning fatal following the Police opening fire on protestors in Rambukkana. …

Continue reading ‘Widespread People Protests Erupt in many places after Fuel Price Increase by LIOC and CPC; Protesting Citizens block Roads,Highways and Railway Tracks;Police Open Fire in Rambukkana.’ »

Amidst continuous protest against him, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday admitted that his Government had erred by banning the use of chemical fertiliser and should have sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “I believe that we should have gone for a program with the International Monetary Fund earlier. Also, I think the decision not …

Continue reading ‘Amidst continuous protests against him, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa admitts that his Government had erred by banning the use of chemical fertiliser and should have sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the president who is facing mass protests demanding his and his government’s resignation, yesterday appointed a new Cabinet, showing scant regard for public mood. That 17-member new Cabinet is a sham, devoid of legitimacy, and would be a source of further political instability. With the elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa remaining …

Continue reading ‘By appointing a new Cabinet Gotabaya Rajapaksa has thrown a firecracker into the tinderbox of Sri Lankan politics; The president has shown yet again, that he would not go down, without dragging the country with him.’ »

BY Pamodi Waravita The Colombo Fort Police submitted an initial report to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday (18) about the “Occupy Galle Face” movement at the Galle Face Green, which reached its 10th consecutive day yesterday. The report noted that on 9 April 2022, social media messages called the public to come to the …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Fort Police submits Preliminary report to Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court About On Going “Occupy Galle Face”Protest Movement; report Cites day and night disturbances to public using the Galle Road and its pavements,. Alleged environmental harm and sound pollution from the loudspeakers.’ »

The Government has agreed to repeal the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and reintroduce the 19th Amendment as the 21st Amendment, according to Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Opposition MP Mano Ganesan, while the Prime Minister’s Media Division has announced that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would introduce a constitutional amendment …

Continue reading ‘Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Proposes to Present 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill to Parliament that would Repeal Controversial 20th Constitutional Amendment and Re-introduce Salient Provisions of the 19th Constitutional Amendment Brought in by the “Yahapalanaya” Govt’ »

A total of 24 new State Ministers were also sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (18) evening, following the swearing in of 17 new Ministers amidst the political turmoil in the country. Accordingly, Prof. G.L. Peiris, who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed as the State Minister of Defence, Rohana Dissanayake as …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Appoints 24 New State Ministers Including SJB’s Diana Gamage, TPA’s Aravindkumar and SLFP’s Suren Raghavan; Actress Geetha Kumarasinghe is State Minister of Culture and Performing Arts While Lohan Ratwatte Gets Urban Development’ »

In his address to the newly sworn-in Cabinet of Ministers yesterday (18), President Gotabaya Rajapaksa admitted that the Government should have entered into a programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at an earlier date, while the chemical fertiliser ban was a mistake. “We faced huge challenges in the past two years. With the Covid-19 …

Continue reading ‘“The public’s anger, pain, and discomfort of having to stay in queues to obtain essential items when they are already unable to bear the cost of living is extremely justified.” Says President Rajapaksa While Addressing Newly Sworn n Cabinet Ministers; admits Folly of Fertilizer Ban and IMF Delay’ »

By P.K.Balachandran. The beleaguered Sri LanUtterlykan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Monday held out an olive branch to the opposition parties and people wanting him to quit for the economic mess he has allegedly created. But he firmly stated that he will not quit yielding to extra-constitutional methods of removal, including the continuous demonstrations in front …

Continue reading ‘Beleaguered President Rajapaksa While Refusing to Yield to Extra-Constitutional Methods of Removal, Extends Olive Branch to Utterly Confused and Disunited Oppostion By Asking it to Join him to Solve Problems Faced by the Country’ »

A total of 17 new Cabinet Ministers were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (18) amidst continuous public protests demanding the resignation of the President, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-led Government. The Presidential Media Division (PMD) announced that the relevant Ministers were sworn in at the President’s house …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Swears in 17 New Cabinet Ministers Leaving Out Many “Seniors” and Elevatng “Juniors”;With Gota,Mahinda,GL and Ali Sabry the Number of Ministers is now 21 with room for 9 more Cabinet Ministers’ »

By Marwaan Macan -Markar Debt-ridden Sri Lanka has stepped into uncharted waters. Negotiations begin this week in Washington between government officials and the International Monetary Fund for a relief program, against the backdrop of protests at home and the decision to stop paying its overseas debts. It is the 17th time the Indian Ocean nation …

Continue reading ‘Debt-ridden Sri Lanka begins Negotitions this week in Washington with the International Monetary Fund for a relief program against the backdrop of protests at home and the decision to stop paying its overseas debts’ »

By Dinitha Rathnayake A group of lawyers will today (18) alert the Judicial Services Commission, which is entrusted with safeguarding the independence of judges, about an attempt being made to remove the protestors in front of the Presidential Secretariat at “GotaGoGama” through a court order provided by a magistrate who was appointed recently, The Morning …

Continue reading ‘Lawyers Backing Gotabaya Govt are Allegedly Engaged in Legal Moves to Obtain Court Order Authorising Demolition of “Gotagogama” Protest Village at Galle Face and Confine “Gota Go Home” Demonstration within Demarcated “Agitation Zone” in Front of Shangri La Hotel’ »

By “The Morning” Political Editor Several former Ministers and State Ministers, including Sarath Weerasekara, Johnston Fernando, Dullas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardena, Gamini Lokuge, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and Jeevan Thondaman would not be part of the new Cabinet of Ministers, which political sources indicate would be youth-heavy and sworn in today (18). In addition, our sources …

Continue reading ‘New Cabinet of 15 Ministers Likely to be Appointed by President Rajapaksa on April 18;Chamal,Basil, Namal and Shasheendra Along with Most Seniors to be Dropped While Younger Ministers will Get Preference in “New Look” Govt’ »

By P.K.Balachandan The Rajapaksa regime in Sri Lanka, extremely hard-pressed though it economically and politically, might still survive thanks to disunity among the Opposition parties and the massive infusion of financial and material aid to the country from abroad. The fact that the politically savvy Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has come out of his shell …

Continue reading ‘Though Hard – pressed Politically and Economically the Rajapaksa Regime May Still Survive Due to Six Critical Factors Working Favourably for the Government’ »

By Arjuna Ranawana Sri Lanka is on the brink of either a historic political revolution where45 years of autocratic rule will end or a catastrophic break down of law and order that could have grave consequences. The nation is angry. It has stomached months of deprivation of the very basics of life, food, fuel,electricity, and …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is on the brink of either a historic political revolution that would end autocratic rule or a catastrophic break down of law and order that could have grave consequences.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene As ominous lines of shrouded police trucks lined up near Colombo’s Galle Face Green on Saturday April 16th 2022 are removed amidst Sri Lankans calling for an end to catastrophic political leadership resulting in a slide to bankruptcy, this is perhaps the most critical moment of this nation in post-independence history. …

Continue reading ‘The Constitution has triumphantly come to the Sri Lankan streets away from dusty corridors of the law where justice is manipulated at will. It would be foolish on the part of politicians, in the Government or in the Opposition to ignore this fierce national solidarity across ethnic, racial and communal lines.’ »

By Dr Nihal Jayawickrama With every passing day, the demand for the resignation of the President is gathering momentum, becoming more strident, and more widespread, and echoing even beyond the borders of this country. The President’s response has been to secure the resignation of his Cabinet of Ministers while retaining his brother as Prime Minister, …

Continue reading ‘The Opposition is collecting signatures for two parliamentary motions. One seeks to express its lack of confidence in the Government while the other seeks to impeach the President. Both these are clearly misconceived.’ »

By’ S.Rubatheesaan With Additional reporting by N. Lohathayalan Why aren’t the northern people protesting over rising prices and shortages of essential items? The answer: Economic hardships are not new to them. When the war was raging in the Northern Province just over a decade ago, electricity was a luxury for many families in the region. …

Continue reading ‘Why are the People in the Northern Province not Protesting over rising prices and shortages of essential items? The answer : Economic hardships are not new to them!’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka’s economic recovery will depend on reforms undertaken with the IMF’s support, but the government will not ignore the country’s poor, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said. The recently appointed Minister spoke to The Hindu ahead of his departure to Washington DC, where he will lead the Sri Lankan delegation in negotiations …

Continue reading ‘“Sri Lanka’s economic recovery will depend on reforms undertaken with the IMF’s support, but the government will not ignore the country’s poor”Says Finance Minister Ali Sabry Prior to Discussions with IMF’ »

By Dushni Weerakoon (DUSHNI WEERAKOON is the Executive Director and Head of Macroeconomic Policy Research at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka.) Sri Lanka is facing an economic meltdown. The COVID-19 pandemic hurt many low- and middle-income countries, but the island nation of 22 million people stands out as one of the hardest …

Continue reading ‘An IMF program will give Sri Lanka the best chance of stabilizing its economy even as it carries significant political risks for the govt. But without help from the IMF, the economy will go into a tailspin and tear apart the social fabric of the country.’ »

By Col. R.Hariharan Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency probably reached the point of no return, after 41 members of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) coalition partners withdrew their support to the government on 5 April. Two days earlier, the President had disbanded his cabinet, in a bid to form an all-party government to tide over …

Continue reading ‘For the first time Gotabaya must be feeling lonely at the top. Having been accustomed to fawning public hailing him as a national hero for over a decade, it must be a rude shock to see ‘Go back Gota’ as the unifying cry of the people protesting all over the island.’ »

A group consisting of academics,Professionals, researchers,activists and creative artistes has in a statement issued said that the origins of the present crisis are political, having been brought about by authoritarian policies of successive governments. Such authoritarian rule has been consolidated for decades through Sinhala Buddhist majoritarian mobilisations, one of the most recent one being mandatory …

Continue reading ‘The Democratic Moment Today: A Call for Action and Reflection.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Scores of Sri Lankans on Thursday marked Sinhala and Tamil New Year at their agitation site in Colombo, as they relentlessly protest the Rajapaksa government’s “failed response” to the country’s crushing economic depression. Some boiled milk, shared sweets, sang, danced, and played games associated with the country’s biggest festival at ‘Gotagogama’ or …

Continue reading ‘“Subhakiruthu” April New Year Celebrated by Thousands of Sri Lankans Protesting Day and Night at “Gotagogama” near Presidential Secretariat; Milk Boiled,Sweets Shared, Singing ,Dancing, and Traditional Games Played’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene Minister of Foreign Affairs GL Peiris’s badly argued brief to Colombo based diplomats this week, describing peoples’ protests in Sri Lanka targeting the Rajapaksa Government as mass based protests against the country’s ‘entire political establishment,’ is a not-so-subtle masterpiece in deception, to put it mildly. False premises and ‘political spin’ Peddled …

Continue reading ‘From each ruinous step to another, it is Rajapaksa governance that is responsible for the multiple crises that the country faces today regardless of the part played by previous political regimes.’ »

By Nisthar Cassim The Government yesterday signaled Sri Lanka was bankrupt, announcing a temporary suspension of repayment of all external debt as of yesterday, saying the country can no longer honour its commitment owing to poorer financial position caused by external and internal shocks. The move puts an end to Sri Lanka’s outstanding track record …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka declares bankruptcy: Announces temporary suspension of repayment of all external debt as of 12 April; New credit facilities and any amounts disbursed under existing credit facilities after 12 April are excluded and will be serviced normally’ »

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka said yesterday it was defaulting on all payments on its $ 51 billion external debt after running out of foreign exchange to import desperately needed goods. The Indian Ocean island, which is battling its worst economic downturn since independence in 1948, joins a small club of countries that have failed to repay …

Continue reading ‘By defaulting on all payments on its $ 51 billion external debt after running out of foreign exchange to import desperately needed goods, Sri Lanka battling its worst economic downturn since independence in 1948 joins a small club of countries that have failed to repay their debts.’ »

Finance Ministry said yesterday holders of all Affected Debts are being requested to capitalise any amounts of principal or interest falling due during this interim period, at an interest rate not higher than the normal contractual rate applicable to that credit, until a restructuring proposal can be presented to the creditors for their consideration. This …

Continue reading ‘Finance Ministry requests holders of all Affected Debts to capitalise any amounts of principal or interest falling due during this interim period at an interest rate not higher than the normal contractual rate applicable to that credit, until a restructuring proposal can be presented to the creditors for their consideration.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced a pre-emptive default on all its foreign debt totalling $51 billion as a “last resort” while the island nation struggles to cope with a grave economic crisis. The Government is taking the “emergency measures”, pending full discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from whom it has …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka announcs a pre-emptive default on all its foreign debt totalling $51 billion as an emergency measure to prevent a further deterioration of the country’s financial position pending full discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a omprehensive debt restructuring programme’ »

By Meera Srinivasan It is their fourth consecutive day at Galle Face, a stretch of Colombo’s breezy sea front, as they agitate incessantly, asking Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. Scores of young men and women are now staying put day and night, right next to the Presidential Secretariat, in what looks like …

Continue reading ‘“Occupy Galle Face’: A tent city of resistance beside Colombo’s seat of power The protesters have one simple message to the country’s most powerful man — ‘we will not go home unless you do’.’ »

By Madhusha Thavapalakumar Tainting its unblemished track record of timely servicing its external financing obligations ever since it gained independence, the Sri Lankan Government yesterday (12) announced that it is suspending debt servicing of selected debts amidst what is considered the worst economic crisis the country has ever endured. With international media reports having mentioned …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka announces suspension of debt servicing of selected debts for an indefinite period amidst the worst economic crisis the country has ever endured;unblemished track record of timely servicing its external financing obligations since independence tainted;’ »

By Ranga Jayasuriya If you are depressed, like many millions of Sri Lankans are, by the perilous state of the country, everyday shortage of essentials and the nepotistic regime that hangs on to power, you might need something to feel positive. Look no further than protests in the Galle Face Green, and indeed, across the …

Continue reading ‘Today Sri Lanka is a broken nation. But Gotabaya Rajapaksa is insisting on business as usual. He has backtracked on a number of previous appointments of cronies.Gota would throw any of his cronies under the bus for his political survival and embrace any accommodating old nemesis. But he would not give up power’ »

By Gamini Akmeemana It was incredible but true. The government imposed an island-wide curfew from Saturday evening to Monday morning to stop protests planned for Monday, April third. It backfired. There were small scale protests even during the curfew. Monday evening, they had become island-wide. They were peaceful, and the police stayed away. Someone must …

Continue reading ‘There is always the possibility that President Rajapaksaa might try to follow the post-Chavez Venezuelan model with the help of the army. But, unlike Venezuela, Sri Lankans are politically trained to ask for and get change periodically. Trying any emergency rule would be a very unwise and tragic move’ »

Protestors, who have occupied Galle Face and its surroundings since Saturday (9), in a massive protest against the President and the current Government, have set up a camp in the Agitation Site close to the Presidential Secretariat dubbed “Gota-Go-Gama”, with dozens of tents. “Gota-Go-Gama” offers free food, water, toilets, and a makeshift medical camp for …

Continue reading ‘” Gota – Go – Gama” Makeshift Village with Tents,Toilets and first aid centre set up near Presidenial Secretariat by Protesters Occupyng Galle Face ; Free Food and Water Offered to people as thousands demonstrate since April 9th Demanding “Gota Go Home”’ »

By Ruth Pollard Protesters defied a curfew and state of emergency and took to the streets, chanting, “Go home Gota,” referring to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a member the powerful clan of strongmen who have led the island nation into this mess. The crowds forced police to abandon barricades outside the president’s residence in the capital, …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is on a dangerous trajectory. Only a rapid easing of the economic situation and significant political reform will help — that’s when protesters will see a potential end to this crisis, and leave the streets in peace’ »

(Text of Special address to the Nation delivered by Former Pesident and present Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on pril 11th 2022) Friends and citizens of Sri Lanka. I speak to you at a crucial time as we grapple with many challenges that have overcome our people. These challenges are not new to me having overseen …

Continue reading ‘“No matter how honorable the notion of organic fertilizer is, it is not the time for it to be implemented. As such, we will be reinstating the fertilizer subsidy to once again equip our farmers to optimize their craft.” – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Special Address to the Nation’ »

By E.T.B. Sivapriyan Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka, including the influential Tamil National Alliance (TNA), on Sunday appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin not to limit food and medical assistance from the state only to Tamils but all citizens of the island nation , arguing that “everyone is suffering” TNA spokesman …

Continue reading ‘TNA and TPA While Thanking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for his “Wonderful Gesture” Offering Food and Medical Aid to Tamils in Sri Lanka also Appeal to him not to restrict it to Tamils alone but to Extend it to all People of the Island Because “Every one is Suffering” and are unitedly protesting against the Ruling Rajapaksas’ »

(Text of Speech made in Parliament by Jaffna District MP Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran on April 6th 2022) Thank you Hon Presiding member Hon. Harin Fernando, I am sorry if you were to speak next, but the tradition is that the second largest party in the opposition gets to speak second in the opposition side. From …

Continue reading ‘“The people have woken up. That’s why they are saying “Go Gota, go home This is the people’s movement; this is something unprecedented; This Country has never seen this before. That is why you are in shock. This is happening organically and people will not relent until Gota goes home”- MA Sumanthiran MP’ »

By Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Colombo While thousands of angry cries and anti-government slogans filled the streets of the Sri Lankan city Colombo on Saturday, Chanda Upul stood quietly nearby, desperately pushing his wares of soft drinks and bottled water on protesters. But in his heart he was chanting along with them. Sri Lanka has descended …

Continue reading ‘“I voted for Gota thinking he was a lion, now I can see that he is worse than a dog. I love my country but don’t know if there will be a country left for my children. The only thing we can do now is drink poison, we are finished”’ »

By Lucien Rajakarunanayake “Gota Go Home” – goes far beyond a simple call to go home. It is a combination of the evils of power and family bandyism that has moved him and the Rajapaksa family to the evils of both politics and governance. The crowds in their hundreds and thousands, with no political party …

Continue reading ‘The people who are protesting with the call for ‘Gota Go Home” are seeking a true democracy in Sri Lanka. They are calling for a big move away from the JR Jayewardene constitution which enabled Gotabaya to bring the Country o this position.’ »

By Sanjayan Rajasingham (The writer is a visiting researcher at Thammasat University, Thailand and a doctoral student at Yale Law School. He was formerly a lecturer in law at the University of Jaffna) We’ve never seen protests like these, and they make you wonder: could this be our moment, a turning point, where we start …

Continue reading ‘The SJB and the NPP can disagree on the IMF. Can they at least get together to tell us – how will they pressurise Gotabaya to go? Whom would they like as an interim president? What immediate constitutional reforms do they want before a new election? After that, they can duke it out on how to salvage our economy!’ »

By Dr.Janaki Kuruppu (The writer is the Chairperson of Mother Sri Lanka.) Have you noticed the attire, the language used and the style of the latest protestors on the streets of Colombo and other cities? Even the slogan ‘Gota-Go-Home’ sounds very Western to me. They are not the typical protestors that we have seen every …

Continue reading ‘I wonder whether the urban elite is aware that the poorer man is unable to go to work, feed his family or run his micro enterprise. They are not just inconvenienced like us, they just cannot find a way to survive the day. So, that needs to be solved immediately.’ »

By Nisthar Cassim The worsening economic crisis has forced the Monetary Board to effect a historic monetary tightening with the new Central Bank Governor justifying the move as critical to ensure macroeconomic stability. The Monetary Board at its meeting under new Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe decided to increase the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) …

Continue reading ‘Worsening economic crisis forces the Monetary Board to effect a historic monetary tightening with the new Central Bank Governor Dr.Nandalal Weerasinghe justifying the move as critical to ensure macroeconomic stability.’ »

A Lenten Reflection By Bishop Duleep de Chickera “I wandered between two worlds; one dying and the other powerless to be born” – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru While Jesus was on the cross a vile drama was taking place at his feet. Roman soldiers sat dividing his garments. Each took a portion and then they drew …

Continue reading ‘The only answer to Empire brutality is human solidarity. Together, humans can dismantle Empire. This is the story of our common human past’ »

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with the four Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of the proclamation issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declaring a state of emergency on April 1. The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Murdu Fernando, Justice Achala Wengappuli and Justice Mahinda Samayawardena granted leave to …

Continue reading ‘Supreme Court grants leave to proceed with four Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the legality of the proclamation issued on April 1 by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declaring a state of emergency and fixes four petitions for argument on July 15.’ »

By P.K.Balachandran The beleaguered Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa revoked the Public Emergency late on April 5, following the defection of 42 MPs from the ruling coalition which had reduced the government’s majority in parliament to two. The government has to have at least 113 MPs in the House of 225. At the end of …

Continue reading ‘What President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will do now with so many of his crew jumping ship is the million-dollar question now. Will he resign seeing the writing on the wall or will he hang on regardless of his growing unpopularity? Most political observers, who know his mindset expect him to stay put and fight!’ »

BY Sumudu Chamara The ongoing protests demanding a plethora of actions by the Government including the resignations of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa continue, and they are being joined by people from all walks of life and ages, every day. As protests began on the streets, protests on online platforms also intensified, …

Continue reading ‘Much Creativity Displayed in Online Protests Against the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Govt; innovative, funny, and sometimes vulgar slogans and methods being used by today’s protesters’ »

By Harindrini Corea A mother stands at a peaceful protest with her baby. The struggle for basic necessities is the story of citizens in Sri Lanka today under the regime of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Shortages of essential items, including fuel and other goods, and rolling blackouts for up to 13 hours a day have brought …

Continue reading ‘What is imperative is that the struggle of the Sri Lankan citizen is not distorted or used as an excuse by a failing regime to censor, use violence against, or control a country that is fighting for an end to its authoritarian rule’ »

By JAMILA HUSAIN Following the resignation of Ali Sabry as the Finance Minister in less than 24 hours, the position still remains vacant with many MPs hesitant to take it up amidst the economic mess Sri Lanka has been plunged into and the rising public anger against the President and government. The Daily Mirror learns …

Continue reading ‘Crucial Talks with IMF in April 2nd Week but Sri Lanka has no Finance Minister,Treasury Secretary or Central Bank Governor; Govt MP’s Reluctant to Accept Finance Minister Post Under Prevailing Situation;President Appoints Impressive Advisory Group on Multilateral Engagement and Debt Sustainability, Comprising Dr Sharmini Coorey ,Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy and Prof. Shanta Devarajan’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Parliament yesterday began a two-day debate on the worsening economic and political crisis but there was no consensus on the way forward despite an appeal from Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and several MPs on both sides of the House to work together in this time of need. The House also met to …

Continue reading ‘Parliament meets to discuss the economic crisis at a time when there is no Finance Minister in the country nor a Secretary to the Treasury: . “No Minister, no Secretary and no money in the Treasury. You have brought this country to bankruptcy,” Says TNA MP Sumanthiran’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Amidst mounting islandwide protests demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando stated in Parliament yesterday (6) that the President will not resign under any circumstances.

National People’s Power (NPP) Opposition Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath yesterday (6) alleged that Avant Garde Security Services (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman Nissanaka Senadhipathi had sent 200 people to be among the protesters at Mirihana, near President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence, on the night of 31 March. “When the people were protesting that night, Defence Secretary (Retd.) Gen. …

Continue reading ‘JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath alleges that Avant Garde Security Services (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman Nissanaka Senadhipathi sent 200 people to infiltrate the Mirihana protest near President Rajapaksa’s private residence, on March 31 night’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara “Nemesis, the goddess of measure and not of revenge, keeps watch. All those who overstep the limits are pitilessly punished by her.” – Albert Camus (Helen’s Exile) We are in the twilight hour, a luminal time hovering between a better day and a darker night. The protests are peaceful, largely, so far. …

Continue reading ‘One of the most encouraging features of the ongoing protest movement is its secular nature. Yellow robes are conspicuous by their near-total absence as are the garbs of other religions. Is this non-racial/religious political moment ephemeral or can it last? Will this moment help lay the groundwork of the necessary separation between all religions and politics/state?’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Forty-two MPs yesterday decided to break away from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuma (SLPP) and function as independent Members of Parliament as the Government fights for survival amidst growing public protests against its mismanagement of the economy, corruption and nepotism. The Government which enjoyed the support of 156 MPs or over …

Continue reading ‘Govt MP’s Reduced from 156 to 114 in 225 Member Parliament; Gota Govt Hangs on to Simple Majority as 42 MPs from SLPP’s constituent parties function as independent MPs’ »

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday proposed that an aid Sri Lanka consortium consisting of India, China,Japan, South Korea, the Europe Union and others willing to assist the country be formed to address the country’s immediate economic needs. He also said both the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed to assist the …

Continue reading ‘UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe proposes an aid Sri Lanka consortium consisting of India, China,Japan, South Korea, the Europe Union and others willing to assist the country be formed to address the country’s immediate economic needs: Says World Bank and Asian Development Bank have agreed to assist the country with short-term loans to buy urgent requirements such as medicine.’ »

Top lawyer Ali Sabry yesterday stepped down as Finance Minister as well as offered to give up his National Listseat, giving options to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint a suitable and credible successor. Sabry who was appointed only on Monday became the shortest serving Finance Minister via his voluntary action. He resigned after tabling the …

Continue reading ‘Newly Appointed Finance Minister Ali Sabry Resigns within 24 Hours and Offers to give up his National List seat if President Rajapaksa wants to seek competent and credible person even from outside Parliament to be Finance Minister’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Trade unions within the public sector are currently engaged in discussions about launching a massive strike in which all public servants would participate, with one of the main demands set to be the resignations of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, The Morning learnt. A leading public service trade union …

Continue reading ‘Plans afoot to Launch Huge public sector strike demanding Resignations of President and Prime Ministers:Trade unions discussing a strike involving all public servants’ »

(Text of Editorial appearing in “The Hiindu” of April 6th 2022 under the Heading “ At a crossroads: On Sri Lanka’s economic recovery”) The widespread public unrest in Sri Lanka has taken on the dimensions of a political revolution of great import. It is apparent that it is driven by popular anger and a collective …

Continue reading ‘“No more should majoritarian mobilisation be allowed to cover up political and economic failures. An inclusive outlook has to be fostered. The people will have to realise that voting on emotional issues related to race and religion only helps the ruling class and seldom benefits them.”-The Hindu’ »

By Chandula Kumbukage I remember that day very well when Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected as “THE PRESIDENT”, my facebook newsfeed was filled with posts by his voters and supporters spreading “HATE” against the minorities for not voting for GOTA, labelling them as “traitors” and among them was an award winning actor who has acted in …

Continue reading ‘GOTA came to power spreading ethno nationalism/ racism and unfortunately 6.9 million knowingly or unknowingly fell into that trap! I hope the 6.9 million learn the dangers of ethnic politics and voting racists into power.’ »

Under pressure from the public to resign, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajpaksa revoked the Emergency Law he declared on April 1 after frustrated protesters attempted to enter his private residence. “I.. do hear by with effect from midnight of April 5, 2022, revoke the proclamation issued by me in terms of powers vested in me,” …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Revokes Emergency With Effect From April 5 Midnight After Regime Loses Majority in House Due to 42 MP’s Withdrawing Support for SLPP Govt; Extension of Emergency by Vote Became Impossible as Govt Lost Parliamentary Majority’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Actually time itself is neutral. It can be used either destructively or constructively.”- Martin Luther King (Letter from Birmingham Jail) In November 2019, 6.9 million Sri Lankans overestimated the intelligence, capacity and compassion of the Rajapaksa brothers. That mistaken assessment was the root cause of the tragedy we are living through today …

Continue reading ‘To think that a president can be ousted by surrounding his office or his home, to believe that the Rajapaksa regime is a house of cards that will collapse at a touch, would be as unintelligent as believing in the myth of “Our Hero who Labours”.’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Government faces a crucial day in Parliament today with the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) likely to lose its majority in the House with both its constituent parties as well as dissident groups within it slated to function as independent MPs. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which …

Continue reading ‘Ruling SLPP Govt Likely to Lose its Simple Majority of 113 in Parliament while President Rajapaksa says he is willing to hand over the Government to any party that commands the support of the majority of members in the House.’ »

By T.K.G. Kapila It was reported that Avant-Garde Company Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and his family members had left the Katunayake Airport for the Maldives this morning. They had left the airport on a SriLankan Airlines flight UL-102 bound for the Maldives at 08.20 am today.

By Ranga Jayasuriya On Sunday night, the Cabinet of Ministers resigned en masse after the public took to the streets for yet another day of countrywide protests, this time, defying the curfew. They demanded the resignation of the president and the government; “Gota go home” was the rallying cry. Yet another family cabal had finally …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankans are calling on the Rajapaksas to go home, instead, they have sent their cabinet of ministers home in what smacks of a zombie sacrifice. An interim govt controlled by the Rajapaksa brothers is hardly a solution because the Rajapaksas are the crux of the problem. They are the magnet of justifiable public anger.’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Morning” of April 5th 2022 Under the Heading “The Interim ‘change’ of Government faces”) The spate of independent and organised protests taking place throughout the country demanding the Government, especially President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to resign, continue to grow. This is in a context where …

Continue reading ‘More than the resignation of ministers , it is the President’s and the Prime Minister’s resignations that the people demand, mostly due to the unwise decisions taken by the duo during the past two years.’ »

By Shaheen Vishak Sri Lanka’s ears are still ringing. The sounds of chanting crowds could be heard all over the nation, as the curfew imposed at 6 p.m. last Saturday (2) came to an end at 6 a.m. yesterday (4), and people swarmed the streets islandwide to resume their large-scale protests against the Government. From …

Continue reading ‘The People of Sri Lanka Unitedly Engage in Multiple Protests as the 36 Hour Curfew Ends;Police Use Tear Gas and Water Cannon to Disperse 2000 plus Crowd Storming Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Tangalle Residence “Carlton House” while Artistes Stage Demonstration Outside “ShangriLa Hotel” Where Basil Rajapaksa is Reportedly staying; Crowds also Surround Residences of Several Govt Ministers,State Ministers and Deputy Ministers’ »

“The armed forces of Sri Lanka would always comply with the Constitution, and the Army is no exception. The Army as a professional outfit is always prepared to provide security and protection to the State as necessary,” stated Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva, addressing a gathering of defence advisers and …

Continue reading ‘“The armed forces of Sri Lanka would always comply with the Constitution, and the Army is no exception. The Army as a professional outfit is always prepared to provide security and protection to the State as necessary,” states Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff Gen.Shavendra Silva at Briefing with Defence Attches and Defence advisers of Diplomatic Missions in Colombo’ »

Former Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure State Minister Nimal Lanza said yesterday (4) that a group of about 50 Parliamentarians, who are currently representing the Government, will function independently from today (5). Speaking to the media yesterday, Lanza said that about 50 Government MPs will function independently from today and that they will make a …

Continue reading ‘Around 50 Govt MP’s Will Function as “Independents” in Parliament from April 5; Former State Minister Nimal Lanza to Make Statement in Parliament’ »

• Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) have both rejected the invitation by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to all parties to form an Interim Government. Claiming that it was merely an internal political decision, SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa Tweeted: “We want resignations and then we want a …

Continue reading ‘Samagi Jana Balawegeya and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna led National People’s Power reject invitation by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to all parties to form an Interim Government;SJB calls it ‘nothing but internal party politics while JVP descrbes proposal as ‘humorous’’ »

Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that former Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has “criminal liability” while Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Leader and Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that Cabraal cannot be made free of all wrongdoing merely because he …

Continue reading ‘Sajith Premadsa and Anura Dissanayake want Former Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal Penalised: SJB Leader says Cabraal has “Criminal Liability” While JVP Leader says “Cabraal cannot be made free of all wrongdoing merely because he has resigned.”’ »

Ajith Nivard Cabraal yesterday tendered his resignation as the Governor of the Central Bank to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Cabraal announced his resignation via a tweet stating: “In the context of all Cabinet Ministers resigning, I have today submitted my resignation as Governor to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.” Cabraal was the 16th governor of CBSL appointed in …

Continue reading ‘Controversial Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal Resigns Tweeting “In the context of all Cabinet Ministers resigning, I have today submitted my resignation as Governor to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.”’ »

BY Buddhika Samaraweera President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (4) requested all political parties represented in the Parliament to assume ministerial posts and contribute to resolving the crisis situation in the country, before appointing four ministers to maintain the stable functioning of the Parliament and the country until a full Cabinet of Ministers is appointed. Accordingly, Sri …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Appoints new Four Member Cabinet Replacing Brother Basil With Ali Sabry as Finance Minister; Dinesh Gunawardena,GL Peiris and Johnstone Fernando Sworn in as Ministers of Education,Foreign Affairs and Highways Respectively’ »

Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (04) invited all political parties representing parliament to accept ministerial portfolios and “come together to find solutions to the ongoing national crisis” as the island nation’s worsening economic crisis precipitated a political crisis over the weekend. “Considering this a national need, the time has come to work together …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invites all political parties represented in parliament to come together “to accept ministerial portfolios in order to find solutions to the on going national crisis.”’ »

By Chandani Kirinde Thousands of people defied the curfew imposed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and took to the streets to protest against the shortage of essential goods including gas, fuel, power outages and rising costs amidst speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle on the cards to diffuse growing public anger. The President and Prime Minister Mahinda …

Continue reading ‘Thousands of people defy the curfew imposed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and take to the streets to protest against the shortage of essential goods including gas, fuel, power outages and rising costs while the President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa meet to discuss the growing unrest among the public and how best to handle the situation.’ »

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene If the Sri Lanka Government prefers to delude itself into believing that widespread and unprecedentedly furious public protests against the President, the Prime Minister and the Government this week were instigated by agent provocateurs of the Opposition, that is its wish. Catastrophic peoples’ angst Contrary to that belief however, the truth …

Continue reading ‘The widespread and unprecedentedly furious public protests against the President, the Prime Minister and the Govt is not the feeble yapping of the Opposition but catastrophic peoples’ angst spilling over to the streets as citizens simply feared for their survival’ »

By Jamila Husain The present cabinet ministers have all signed a general letter, consenting to resign paving way for a new cabinet to be formed amidst rising public anger against the government.

By Buddhika Samaraweera The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), following its Central Committee meeting yesterday (3), informed the President in a letter that the 14 SLFP Parliamentarians (MPs) would sit as independent MPs in Parliament if the Government does not form an Interim Government with the participation of all parties represented in Parliament within the …

Continue reading ‘Govt Ministers at Emergency Cabinet Meeting Consider Resigning En Masse to Facilitate President Rajapaksa Appointing New Interim Cabinet After National Security Council Reports Security Apparatus Cannot Control Spreading Protests Indefinitely’ »

Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Namal Rajapaksa has resigned from all his portfolios, sources confirmed. Cabinet Ministers are presently in an urgent cabinet meeting with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. More crucial resignations are expected in the coming hours.

By Dinitha Rathnayake The official website of the President of Sri Lanka was inaccessible for some time yesterday (3) due to heavy traffic, stated President’s Media Division Director General and senior journalist Sudewa Hettiarachchi. Speaking to The Morning, he said the website was down due to heavy traffic, and that the incident had been orchestrated …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Official Website was Inaccessible for a while due to Heavy Traffic says Presidents Media Division but “Hack tivist”Collective named “Anonymous India” Tweets Suggesting it brought down the Site in Support of Sri Lanka Citizens’ »

by Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya A 53-year-old male has committed suicide in front of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house in Mirihana a short while ago, police said. The man had climbed on a live transformer after calling for an immediate end to the power cuts. Police said he was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Courtesy;Daily …

Continue reading ‘53-year-old male commits suicide in front of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house in Mirihana by climbing on a live transformer after calling for an immediate end to the power cuts.’ »

Social media activist Anuruddha Bandara who was arrested for creating the social media page “Go Home Gota 2022”, was released on bail after being produced in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. He was produced to court after midnight yesterday and at least 50 lawyers were outside the court hours when he was presented to the Magistrate. …

Continue reading ‘Go Home Gota’ FB admin and social media activist Anuruddha Bandara who was arrested for creating the social media page “Go Home Gota 2022”, was released on bail after being produced in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.’ »

Social media activist Anuruddha Bandara who was allegedly abducted by a group claiming to be from the police and who was later found at the Modara Police, has been arrested by the Mutuwal Police. The social media activist was abducted on Friday night, from his home in Gampola by a group of men claiming to …

Continue reading ‘‘Go Home Gota 2022’ Facebook Group Page administrator Anuruddha Bandara Abducted from his Home at Gampola; SL Human Rights Commission Intervenes in Matter and is Informed by Police that Social Media Activist is being held at the Mutwal Police Station in Colombo’ »

By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka The word that is most in currency, after the Mirihana mass resistance, is: “ARAGALAYA” (Struggle). The struggle to remove the ruler, the ruling clan and the regime, has begun. Future historians will write that the masses of Sri Lanka began to write their own history on March 31st, 2022, at Mirihana, a …

Continue reading ‘After the Mirihana mass resistance, the “ARAGALAYA” (Struggle) to remove the ruler, the ruling clan and the regime, has begun.’ »

NetBlocks metrics confirm the restriction of multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Viber and YouTube in Sri Lanka after midnight on Sunday 3 April 2022 local time.

Sri Lanka has declared curfew ahead of an organically driven protests by social media activists which was to take place on Sunday afternoon using newly promulgated emergency powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. A nation-wide curfew will be imposed from 1800 hours on April 02 to 0600 hours on Monday April 04, the Director General of …

Continue reading ‘36 Hour Long Island wide Curfew Imposed from Saturday 6 pm to Monday 6 am in Sri Lanka to Prevent Widespread Protests Against President Rajapaksa Taking Place in Different Parts of the Country on Sunday’ »

The Government yesterday blamed ‘political extremists’ for the violence that erupted at a people’s protest near the private residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Mirihana, Nugegoda on Thursday night, and said Police had used ‘minimum force’ to disperse the crowd. Cabinet Co-Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that a group of persons that mingled with the peaceful …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was in his House at Mirihana when violence unfolded outside his residence States Keheliiya Rambukwella;”President Consulted the IGP, Army Chief and Def. Secy following which Police was ordered to disperse the crowd using minimum force’says Cabinet Co – Spokesperson’ »

By Meera Srinivasan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of Emergency in crisis-hit Sri Lanka, a day after angry citizens converged in front of his residence demanding his immediate resignation. An extraordinary gazette notification issued late on Friday said the state of emergency, coming into immediate effect, was “in the interests of public security, the …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Declares State of Emergency After Protest Outside his Mirhana Residence; Over 50 Suspected Demonstrators Arrested Amid Allegations of Torture in Police Stations’ »

by Meera Srinivasan Hundreds of angry protestors gathered outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence in Colombo late on Thursday night, after the island experienced a 13-hour-long power cut amid Sri Lanka’s Hundredsworsening economic meltdown. Riot police were swiftly deployed to the spot. They used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, but those …

Continue reading ‘Hundreds of Angry Protesters Launch Agitation Outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Private Residence at Mirihana Chanting “Gota Go Home”; Riot Police Deployed to Disperse the Crowd , Fires Tear Gas and Uses Water Cannon but Demonstrators Hold their Ground Demanding the Govt to Step Down’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in t”The Island”of 2nd April,2022 under the Heading “ Killer waves of public anger”) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa may not have expected anything like what played out on Thursday night near his residence, when he, in his glory days, had a place designated as the ‘agitation site’ close to the Presidential Secretariat, …

Continue reading ‘The Opposition has to provide leadership to the masses driven by blind fury. Leaderless uprisings are also indicative of the failure of the Opposition to win people’s confidence, and provide a viable alternative to an unpopular, incompetent regime- The Island’ »

Police curfew has been imposed in Colombo North, South, Colombo Central and Nugegoda Police Divisions until further notice due to the tense situation that erupted outside the private residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today evening. Also, the curfew has also been imposed within Kelaniya and Mount Lavinia Police Divisions. Curfew imposed police areas:

By Seema Guha Is this the end of the road for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the powerful Rajapaksa brothers that had dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades? Going by the anger in the streets triggered by financial mismanagement and the near melt down of the island’s economy, the Rajapaksa family firm is running out of …

Continue reading ‘Is this the end of the road for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the powerful Rajapaksa Family which dominated Sri Lankan politics for decades?’ »

By Amrit Dhillon The temperature in Colombo was an uncomfortable 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, but it felt hotter for the Jayasinghe family because for six hours they’d had no electricity. Tavish Jayasinghe, an accountant, sat on the veranda of his house in the Sri Lankan capital, reading the bad news in …

Continue reading ‘Cash Strapped Sri Lanka is facing an economic meltdown with rolling blackouts and shortages of food, petrol and paper as it runs out of foreign reserves. Struggling Sri Lanka reaches to India for cash but China still has deeper pockets.’ »

BY Nirupama Subramanian & Shubhajit Roy DAYS AFTER finalising an agreement for Indian Dornier aircraft for the Sri Lankan Air Force, Delhi and Colombo are stepping up their cooperation in the Indian Ocean with a Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) to be set up by Bharat Electronics Ltd at the Sri Lankan Naval Headquarters in …

Continue reading ‘Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S.Jaishankar Concludes “Productive”Visit to Sri Lanka After Signing Slew of MOU’s on a number of Vital Matters’ »

By Meera Seinivasan India will set up hybrid power projects in three Islands off Jaffna, effectively replacing the Chinese venture cleared by Colombo last year. The MoU for the project was among those signed during a meeting between visiting External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and his Sri Lankan counterpart G.L. Peiris late on Monday. …

Continue reading ‘India will set up Three Hybrid Power Projects in the Northern Islands of Nainatheevu, Analaitheevu and Neduntheevu that are Close to Tamil Nadu Cost; China Effectively Removed From Project Following MOU Signed by Indian External Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof GL Peiris in Colombo’ »

By T.Ramakrishnan The illegal entry of 16 persons from Sri Lanka’s Northern Province into Rameswaram on Tuesday has triggered a debate on whether they can be accorded the refugee status. The immigrants – three men, six women and seven children – cited economic crisis in their country as the reason for their action. But persons …

Continue reading ‘16 Northern Tamils Comprising 3 Men,6 women and 7 Children who went by Boat to Ramesharam Citing the Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka as Reason for Seeking Asylum in India are not Eligible to be Awarded Refugee Status According to International Law’ »

By Meera Srinivasan A media clarification issued by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has brought to light two recent defence pacts it has signed with India that neither side officially announced. “The recently signed maritime security pacts with the Government of India will not result in hindrance or threat to the national security of Sri …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Signs Two “Unannounced” Maritime Security Agreements with India on March 16 to Receive a “Floating Dock Facility” and “Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft” free of Charge; Another MOU signed by the Indian and Sri Lankan Foreign Ministers on March 28 will set up “Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers” by India in 7 ports Including Hambantota in Sri Lanka’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of Indiaa in Colombo on March 28th 2022) External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S.Jaishankar concluded his first day of discussions during his visit to Sri Lanka on 28 March 2022. He is accompanied by a five-member official delegation from Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi for …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar Jointly Declare Open the Jaffna Cultural Centre Constructed with Indian Funds in Jaffna at a Special Virtual Inauguration Event held in ”Temple Trees”’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo on March 28th 2022 ) External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met a delegation from the Tamil National Alliance led by Hon. R. Sampanthan, Member of Parliament today during his visit to Sri Lanka. 2. The TNA delegation briefed EAM of the …

Continue reading ‘Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar Welcomes Positive Outcome of On Going Talks Between The Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil National Alliance after Both Parties Provide Details of First Meeting to the Visiting Minister’ »